Bentley Continental GT, first generation (2003 to 2011)

The Continental GT was the first all-new Bentley developed under Volkswagen ownership, shown at the 2002 Paris show and built at Crewe from late 2003. It borrowed its platform and much of its engineering from the Volkswagen Phaeton, and used a 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12, made by joining two narrow-angle VR6 engines on a common crankshaft, driving all four wheels through a six-speed ZF automatic.

It was a huge commercial success, with Classic & Sports Car putting first-generation production at about 34,000, far more than any previous Bentley. It spawned the GTC convertible, the faster Speed and the lighter, harder Supersports, plus the closely related Continental Flying Spur saloon, which is not covered here.

On the road it is immensely fast and stable in all weathers, with a top speed close to 200mph even in standard form. Early road tests found it heavy at around 2.4 tonnes, with a ride that could feel unsettled and a chassis that lacked agility, and later cars were improved. Its reputation is mixed: the core engine and gearbox are durable when serviced, but the complexity, cramped engine bay and many electronic systems mean that neglected cars, or ones that have stood unused, can produce a stream of expensive faults.

• Years: coupé from December 2003 to 2010, when the second generation coupé arrived; GTC convertible continued until 2011.
• Body styles: two-door 2+2 coupé (GT); four-seat convertible with fabric roof (GTC).
• Engine: 5998cc twin-turbo W12, 552bhp (560PS) and about 479lb ft at launch.
• Speed: 600bhp (610PS); Supersports: 621bhp (630PS). Sources mix bhp and PS, so quoted figures vary slightly.
• Gearbox: six-speed ZF automatic with paddles; permanent four-wheel drive with a Torsen centre differential.
• Suspension: air springs with adjustable damping (four settings); double wishbones front, multi-link rear.
• Production: about 34,000 first-generation cars, per Classic & Sports Car; treat as approximate and check whether it includes the GTC.

• 2003 to 2004: GT coupé launched. Mulliner Driving Specification option from 2004 to 2005, with 20-inch wheels, drilled pedals and quilted hide.
• 2005 to 2006: GTC convertible with a multi-layer fabric roof. Classic & Sports Car dates it to 2005; Evo and PistonHeads give 2006, which matches UK sales.
• 2007: GT Speed with lower, firmer suspension and more power. A mild facelift brought a revised grille and intakes, Servotronic steering and optional carbon-ceramic brakes.
• 2008 to 2009: suspension revisions with more aluminium parts (PistonHeads); GTC Speed; Series 51 trim option.
• 2009 to 2010: Supersports coupé with no rear seats, lighter trim and ceramic brakes as standard; GTC Supersports followed in 2010.
• 2010 to 2011: second-generation GT coupé replaces the first; the new GTC follows in 2011.

Bodywork and structure

• The steel body is generally free of rust. Corrosion usually indicates a poor accident repair, so look for uneven panel gaps and mismatched paint.
• The bluff nose collects stone chips; check for cracked headlamp lenses.
• Dents and kerbed wheels suggest careless ownership, and repairs to the tightly packaged body are labour-intensive.
• On a GTC, check the roof operates fully and smoothly and that the fabric and heated rear glass are undamaged.

Engine

• A well-serviced W12 is dependable and has no cambelts. Ask for proof of servicing with the correct 0W-40 oil, which matters for turbo life.
• An uneven idle or misfire often means a failed coil pack, a known Volkswagen Group weakness.
• Spark plugs are on a roughly four-year schedule but are hard to reach; ask when they were last done.
• Look for coolant staining around the radiators and water pump. Pump, thermostat or radiator failure can overheat the engine, and many of these jobs need the front end removed. Head gasket failure is rare but means taking the engine out.
• Blue smoke from the exhaust is a reason to walk away.
• Early cars can suffer from heat-damaged vacuum hoses and wiring connection faults.

Gearbox and drivetrain

• The ZF gearbox and four-wheel-drive system are strong. Faults are usually electrical: worn connectors, switches or sensors that are cheap to buy but hard to reach.
• Check for smooth, prompt shifts and no warning messages.

Suspension, steering and brakes

• Knocking over bumps usually means worn front anti-roll bar drop links.
• Air struts can fail and need coding when replaced. Check the car sits level and that ride height and damper settings all change as selected.
• The electronic parking brake module is a known weak spot; test the handbrake.
• Front discs are large (405mm on steel brakes) and wear quickly with hard use. Worn brakes can point to a neglected car. Carbon-ceramic brakes, optional from 2007, are expensive to renew, so check their condition and records.
• Tyre pressure sensor batteries last about five years.

Electrics and interior

• The car has two batteries, a main and a back-up. A weak battery causes random faults; cars that have stood are often flat.
• Look for damp in the front left footwell (the passenger side on UK cars): water can reach control modules under the scuttle and cause odd faults such as windows dropping on their own.
• If any warning light stays on, ask for fault codes to be read before bidding.
• Check the driver's seat outer bolster for wear, that all seat motors work, and that the headlining is not sagging.

Identity and paperwork

• Speed and Supersports models are worth confirming from the VIN and build specification. Speed-style grilles, wheels and badges can be fitted to a standard car, so check the specification rather than the badges.
• Check the online MOT history for advisories and mileage consistency.
• Prefer a car with full service records from franchised or recognised specialists over a low-mileage car with gaps. Ask whether any recalls have been completed.

Parts are available through Bentley dealers and an established network of independent specialists who focus on Volkswagen-era Bentleys. Many mechanical and electrical parts are shared with other Volkswagen Group cars, though Bentley-specific trim and modules are costly. Plan for a diagnostic tool check, as warning lights are common on cars that have stood. The Bentley Drivers Club (https://www.bdcl.org) is the long-established club for Bentley owners, and the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club (https://rrec.org.uk) also covers Bentley.

• Is there a full service history, and when were the spark plugs, coil packs and coolant pump last renewed?
• Has the car stood unused for long periods, and has the battery been kept charged?
• Are there stored fault codes, and have any warning lights appeared recently?
• Has the car had accident repairs, and are invoices available for any bodywork?
• If it is badged Speed or Supersports, do the VIN and build records confirm it, and has anything been modified from factory specification?